How to Ship a Barrel to the Caribbean, Step by Step

A barrel is still the cheapest way to send a lot of things home. The trip has the same shape to almost every Caribbean country: you fill the barrel, a company takes it to a port, it crosses by boat, customs clears it, and your family collects it. Here is the whole trip, in order.

1. Pick the company before you pack

Choose the company first, because each one has its own rules: barrel sizes it accepts, drop-off days, sailing days, and what it will not take. Use the destination page for your country on this site, compare two or three companies, and call before you pack. Ask the questions in our guide to questions to ask before you pay.

2. Pack heavy at the bottom

Cans, bottles and anything heavy go at the bottom; clothes and soft things fill the gaps and cushion the top. Keep liquids in sealed bags. Write the receiver's name and phone inside the barrel as well as outside — labels come off, writing inside does not.

3. Drop off — and get your number

Bring the barrel to the company's warehouse (some pick up for a fee). Before you pay, ask two things: the sailing date, and your tracking number on the receipt. A company that uses a tracking desk prints your number on the receipt with a code you can scan; type it on our tracking page any time to see the steps.

4. The boat, customs, pickup

Most routes sail weekly and take one to three weeks on the water. On arrival, customs inspects and charges what that country charges; your receiver usually pays any local charges in local money. The last step shows on your tracking page when the barrel is ready — your family brings an ID and the receipt.